Phoenix Open Preview, Picks & Analysis

Post by Sports Writer, Derek Clements

IF YOU are planning to watch the Waste Management Phoenix Open for the first time, prepare to dismiss all your preconceived ideas about the way that professional golf should be played.

This is a tournament that could have been designed with the likes of John Daly and Bubba Watson in mind as the biggest crowds of the year pour into TPC Scottsdale in the Arizona desert and spend four days behaving like, well, football fans. It is safe to say that the amount of alcohol consumed here equals the sum total of every other PGA Tour event put together. And the fans leave a huge amount of litter, so no event could have a more appropriate sponsor.

The atmosphere is raucous, nowhere more so than at the par-three 16th hole, where thousands of fans let the players know exactly what they think of the shots they have just hit. Those who miss the putting surface are roundly booed, while Francesco Molinari, of Italy, will remember for the rest of his life the day he achieved a hole in one and was cheered from tee to green and beyond. He later said the cheers were the loudest he had experienced at any sporting event, anywhere in the world. In days gone by, the players used to throw American footballs into the gallery (don't ask - oh all right, it was because it coincides with SuperBowl Sunday when the entire nation become sobsessed with American football), but the PGA Tour banned the practice when the fans insisted on throwing them back. Hard!

Golf, but not as we know it - The 16th at the Phoenix open!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=PO-qAZ6zP90

Phil Mickelson, who is much loved in this part of the world, was bitterly disappointed to have missed the cut at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines last week. He played superbly at the CareerBuilder Challenge after spending weeks working on his swing. What was most noticeable about his play was that he had finally found a way to keep the ball in play with his driver. That didn't last at Torrey Pines, but Lefty admits that the new technique remains a work in progress, and hitting fairways is not imperative at Phoenix - certainly not as important as it is at Torrey Pines.

Mickelson will have spent the past few days ironing out the kinks and I expect him to be in the mix come Sunday.

This is also a venue that suits Rickie Fowler, who was clearly suffering from the effects of jetlag at Torrey Pines, having arrived on the coast of California direct from his victory at the Abu Dhabi championship. Fowler is a golfer who feeds off the fans and if he gets off to a good start in the desert he could well be irresistible here. This is a young man who is no longer afraid to win and who, finally, has worked out a way to do so more often than not when he gets himself into contention. He is also not afraid to score low - a prerequisite at TPC Scottsdale, which yields plenty of birdies.

Also keep an eye on Brooks Koepka, the defending champion, who will return to Phoenix with a warm feeling inside. He is a very good young player who served a fine apprenticeship on the European Tour and can cope with most courses and most conditions. Koepka has had a slow start to the season and will be hoping to move up a gear soon.

If you are looking for a good each-way bet, there are two players who take the eye. One of them is Kevin Streelman, who is in a rich vein of form right now. He waited a long time to make his breakthrough but is now right at home at the top of the leaderboard. He is also capable of incredible bursts of birdies. The other is Billy Horschell, who seemed to suffer a season-long headache after winning the FedEx Cup in 2014. Horschell was deeply frustrated with the golf he played last year, and is determined there will be no repeat in 2016. He has coming out of the starting blocks in a hurry and will surely win again before very much longer.

And don't rule out Jimmy Walker and Brandt Snedeker, both of whom played some outstanding golf in horrendous conditions at the Farmers Insurance Open. Snedeker's final round of 69, with the rain hammering down and the wind howling, will not be bettered all year.

Phoenix Open Betting Picks

David Lingmerth. Swede is on fire again

Billy Horschell. Has a new determination

Kevin Streelman. In good form

Phoenix Open Fantasy Picks

David Lingmerth. Desperate to make the Ryder Cup team

Billy Horschell. Wants to prove he wasn't a flash in the pan

Kevin Streelman. Can go really low

Phil Mickelson. Just loves this place

Rickie Fowler. On top of the world right now

Kevin Kisner. The money-making machine

Daniel Berger. Ready for another good tournament

Jason Dufner. The Dufmesiter is back!

Brooks Koepka. Could easily defend his title

Gary Woodland. Will feed off this crowd